Medieval jousting on horseback meets reality television with the debut of “Full Metal Jousting” on Sunday, February 12th. The rough-and-tumble Renaissance-styled competition series airs on The History Channel.
“Full Metal Jousting” is a far cry from summertime Renaissance fair exhibitions, in which equestrians don costumes for reenactments. For this action series, 16 competitors will mount up to vie for the top title in the historical bloodsport.
Who are the “Full Metal Jousting” competitors?
Donning armor and wielding lances are 16 rugged sportsmen, ranging in age from 23 to 43 and coming from such diverse disciplines as bodybuilding and bull riding, football and fencing, stunt riding and steer wrestling, bartending and bodybuilding.
Take a look at The History Channel’s 16 knights on horseback.
- Brian Tulk (43), San Tan Valley, Arizona, is a paramedic and firefighter. Tulk has earned his stripes in rodeo, roping competitions, bodybuilding, wrestling and other sports.
- David Prewitt (25), of Klamath Falls, Oregon, has served in the U.S. Marines and is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. Prewitt practices bull and saddle bronc riding, as well as hunting and fishing.
- Jack Mathis (31), of Dallas, Texas, is a top knight with Medieval Times. Mathis played football and soccer in high school.
- Jake Nodar (33), of West Hollywood, California, is a professional horse trainer and avid equestrian.
- James Fairclough (25), of Newton, New Jersey, is training for the Olympic trials in equestrian show jumping.
- John Stikes (28), of Atlanta, Georgia, is a stuntman and Medieval Times knight, who also practices swordplay and stage combat.
- Joseph McKinley (29), of Woodland Hills, California, is a horse trainer, inner-city school bus driver, and equestrian eventer.
- Josh Avery (23), of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a jouster with Medieval Times. Avery’s athletic pursuits have included football, lacrosse, skateboarding and surfing.
- Joshua Knowles (28), of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a professional jouster as well. Medieval Knights lore says Knowles lost half a finger in competition, but continued the action.
- Landon Morris (27), of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a professional auctioneer, but his athletic activities include medieval combat, Muy Thai kick boxing and polo.
- Matt Hiltman (24), of Atlanta, Georgia, is the youngest Medieval Knights head knight ever. Hiltman is also a stunt rider, Ultimate Frisbee player and fast car fan.
- Mike Edwards (40), of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a U.S. Marine veteran, who served in Operation Desert Storm. A Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, Edwards rides with the Marine Riders of Las Vegas.
- Nathan Klassen (33), of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is a bull rider with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
- Paul Suda (26), of Los Angeles, California, is a professional horse trainer. A trained musician, Suda pursues Italian Medieval martial arts.
- Rope Myers (41), of Van, Texas, is a World Champion steer wrestler (2001) with the National Finals Rodeo and gold medalist (2001) Olympic Command Performance Rodeo competitor.
- Tom Conant (25), of Hilmar, California, is a professional polo player and horse trainer.
“Full Metal Jousting” premieres on Sunday, February 12th, at 10 p.m. ET.
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